All clear in Japan: Japan’s Setouchi region, recovering from unusually heavy rain in early July, has reported that the area’s key tourism destinations report no major damages. Airports and most trains are operating as usual. The Setouchi region includes the Seto Inland Sea in southwest Japan, which is embraced by the coastal areas of Honshu and Shikoku Islands. Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Hyogo, Ehime, Okayama and Tokushima Prefectures, plus 3,000 islands comprise the region.
Shari’ah-compliant financing: Singapore-based real estate firm Royal Group has raised US$220.8 million in Shari’ah-compliant financing from RHB Bank Singapore for the So Sofitel Singapore, according to Reuters. The deal represents the first Islamic financing for the Royal Group, a developer and manager of real estate properties primarily in Malaysia and Singapore. Islamic finance has seen limited use in the hospitality industry because of religious doctrines that limit exposure to alcohol-related businesses.
Pendry, country style: Pendry Hotels has won a contract to restore the Natirar country estates in Somerset County, New Jersey, with plans to remerge in Spring 2020 as the 66-room Pendry Natirar and a collection of private, whole-ownership estate and farm villa residences, the Pendry Residences Natirar. The grand, Tudor-style mansion was formerly owned by the late King of Morocco and originally completed in 1912 as an estate home for heiress Kate Macy Ladd and husband Walter Ladd. It is currently home to the Ninety Acres Restaurant & Cooking School, a sustainable farm, and a private membership club.
Higher power: High Hotels Ltd., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is installing a US$1.5 million solar array that will generate 100% of the electrical power required to operate the 133-room Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster. It will become the first Marriott-branded hotel in the United States with 100% of its electricity needs generated from solar power. It is also believed to be the first solar array in the country installed for the sole purpose of generating 100% of the electricity needs of a hotel. The installation of more than 2,700 ballasted photovoltaic panels will fill an area more than two football fields in size. The solar array will produce 1,239,000 kWh of power for the hotel, which consumes 1,177,000 kWh. Any excess power will be sold to the utility.
Sbe, A&F deal: Sbe has announced a partnership with specialty retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, to create a series of bespoke co-branded events and pop-up shops at selected Sbe properties. Additionally, members of the A&F Club, the brand’s loyalty program, will be rewarded with special benefits across sbe’s hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues.